Word Origin & History

husband O.E. husbonda "male head of a household," probably from O.N. husbondi "master of the house," from hus "house" + bondi "householder, dweller, freeholder, peasant," from buandi, prp. of bua "to dwell" The sense of "peasant farmer" (early 13c.) is preserved in husbandry (first attested late 14c. in this sense). Beginning late 13c., replaced O.E. wer as "married man," companion of wif, a sad loss for Eng. poetry. The verb "manage thriftily" is mid-15c., from the noun in the obsolete sense of "steward" (mid-15c.). Slang shortening hubby first attested 1680s.

Example Sentences for husband

The girls I know are taught painstakingly how to get a husband, but nothing of how to be a wife.

The husband in my case was to be an inconvenience, but doubtless an amusing one.

Mr. Bines is my husband, Mtterchen, and we're leaving for the West in the morning.

Mrs. Morgan gave Robert a reception as warm as her husband had done.

"I ordered the sun turned on at just this point," replied her husband, with a large air.

Her mind is set on taking it down, yet she will not peril her husband.

The daughter of Pharaoh saw the youth and desired him for her husband.

"I hope she will love her husband," said Kate, rather seriously.

This man who calls himself my husband is no worse, I suppose, than other men.